Florida primaries pit Trump-backed hopefuls against diverse Democratic challengers

In Tuesday's Florida primaries, Republican Congressman Byron Donalds aims to break new ground as the state's first Black governor, hoping a nod from Donald Trump will secure the GOP nomination against Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and political newcomer James Fishback. On the Democratic side, former Republican David Jolly leads the gubernatorial field, while candidates such as Angie Nixon and Alex Vindman clash in a Senate special election to finish Marco Rubio's term.

House races feature incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz fighting for a 12th term in a newly drawn, plurality-Black district against several Black challengers, including Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who faces a federal indictment. The primaries also include a contested race for the 7th Congressional District, where Rep. Cory Mills seeks a third term despite opposition from Governor Ron DeSantis. Voter turnout, especially in Miami-Dade, will signal whether Trump's popularity can still drive Republican victories or if Democrats can make inroads in a state that has shifted sharply right since 2016.